What hardiness zones is Pratia pedunculata suitable for?

Pratia pedunculata is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Pratia pedunculata?

Pratia pedunculata requires Part Shade.

How much water does Pratia pedunculata need?

Pratia pedunculata has Medium water needs.

1 / 3

Groundcovers

Pratia pedunculata

Blue Star Creeper

Campanulaceae

Southeastern Australia (Queensland to South Australia) and New Zealand; moist grasslands, streambanks, and open woodland margins

Learn more

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitSpreading

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm)

Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10

Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9 Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Pratia pedunculata is blue star creeper (matted pratia), a low spreading semi-evergreen perennial growing 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. Pale blue to white 5-petaled star-shaped flowers 0.4 inch (10 mm) held just above the foliage from May through August (16 weeks). Bright green tiny oval leaves on creeping prostrate stems forming a dense mat. In Campanulaceae. Reclassified as Lobelia pedunculata by some taxonomic authorities. Pedunculata = with peduncles. Native to southeastern Australia and New Zealand. Tolerates light foot traffic — frequently used as a between-stepping-stone groundcover or lawn substitute in mild climates. Spreads by stoloniferous runners — can become invasive in lawns. Prefers consistent moisture; not drought-tolerant. This moisture requirement is the primary cultural limitation. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 7-10. Part shade to full sun. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia (Queensland to South Australia) and New Zealand. Found in moist grasslands, streambanks, and open woodland margins.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a between-stepping-stone groundcover, lawn substitute, or in moist mixed plantings, and in containers of at least 1 gallon (3.8 L), spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). Foot-traffic tolerant. Spreads by runners. Non-toxic. Zones 7-10.

How to Identify

Identified by tiny bright green oval leaves forming a dense low prostrate mat with pale blue 5-petaled star-shaped flowers held just above the foliage on short pedicels. The very low mat habit and the long-stalked star-shaped flowers are diagnostic. In Campanulaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1" - 2"

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Spring Summer

Late spring through summer (May-August). Pale blue to white 5-petaled star-shaped flowers 0.4 inch (10 mm) on short pedicels above the foliage. 16 weeks. Bee-visited.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pale blue to white 5-petaled star-shaped flowers 0.4 inch (10 mm), held just above the foliage on short pedicels (peduncles — hence pedunculata); May-August (16 weeks)

Foliage Description

Bright green, tiny oval leaves 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm), densely arranged on creeping prostrate stems forming a dense mat 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) tall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade Full Shade

Requires 2-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part shade to full sun (2-10 hours). Moist well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.0. Not drought-tolerant. Tolerates light foot traffic. Spreads by stoloniferous runners — can invade lawns. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 7-10.

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed. Mow lightly in early spring (March-April) to remove winter-damaged growth and tidy the mat. Remove unwanted runners to control spread.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic